No world record chasing for Jackson

Paris, France:

WORLD 200-METRE champion Shericka Jackson played down any possibilities of a world record chase but said she would give her best in the half-lap event after ending her double-Olympic gold medal chase early.

Jackson confirmed that she will only be focusing on the half-lap event, with Shashalee Forbes set to replace her in the women’s 100m, which starts tomorrow.

Jackson’s health was called into question when she pulled up after a meet in Hungary in early July.

At yesterday’s media day at PUMA House, Jackson, when asked about expectations for the 200, the only event where she is missing an Olympic medal, said she plans to give her best effort.

“In all honesty, I do not think there is a world record coming. Everybody thinks that there is a world record coming. But I don’t think there is a world record coming. But I definitely will be competing at my best,” Jackson said.

Jackson successfully defended her national title in July with a season’s best 22.29 seconds, well off her 21.41 in Budapest last year and well off World Championships silver medallist Gabby Thomas, who is the fastest woman in the world this year with 21.78.

Jackson said that balancing the highs and lows of a difficult year has been made possible by the team at MVP track club, who have been monitoring her recovery.

“We have a good staff at MVP,where they put in place recovery and everything. And I think that to have highs and lows is part of the sport. I have to give the whole MVP staff all the glory where recovery is concerned, where recovery from being hurt is concerned. It is a combination of both, and they deserve all the credit.”